Mobile terminal and method for operating the same

ABSTRACT

A method for controlling a mobile terminal, and which includes entering, via a camera of the mobile terminal, a capture mode; receiving, via a controller of the mobile terminal, a start input for starting a grouping image process; capturing, via the camera, at least one image; receiving, via the controller, an end input for ending the grouping image process; and storing, in a memory associated with the mobile terminal, the at least one image captured between the start input and the end input in a group.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.10-2013-0011277, filed on Jan. 31, 2013 in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and operating methodof the same for managing a captured image by using an image groupingfunction efficiently.

2. Description of the Related Art

A mobile terminal is a portable device having at least one of functionto perform voice and video communication, a function to receive andoutput information and a function to store data.

As the function has been diversified, a mobile terminal having complexfunctions such as a function to capture still or moving images (i.e.,photographs or videos), a function to reproduce music or video file, agame function, a function to receive broadcasts, a wireless internetfunction has been multimedia player.

Also, because a resolution of camera being included in a mobile terminalis higher, a user now captures many more still or moving images.However, the user has trouble to move stored image in a basic folder toother folder and delete stored image in the basic folder for managingcaptured images in a group.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the aboveproblems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide amobile terminal and an operating method of the same for storing andmanaging captured images efficiently by using an image grouping functionin a capture mode and an album mode.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a mobileterminal and a method for operating the same, which can increase userconvenience.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above andother objects can be accomplished by the provision of a method foroperating a mobile terminal, the method including entering a capturemode, receiving a start input for an image grouping, capturing at leastone of images, receiving an end input for the image grouping and storingat least one of images captured between the start input and the endinput in a group.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method for operating a mobile terminal including entering analbum mode, displaying an image list of a first group including images,receiving a start input for an image grouping, selecting at least one ofthe images, receiving an end input for the image grouping and storing atleast one of the images selected between the start input and the endinput in a second group.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a mobile terminal including a camera for capturing an image anda controller for receiving a start and an end input for an imagegrouping and storing at least one of the images captured between thestart input and the end input is stored in a group.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of thepresent invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the mobile terminal according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal shown in FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the mobileterminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5 to 15 are views referred to for describing the method foroperating the mobile terminal, illustrated in FIG. 15;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the mobileterminal according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 17 to 20 are views referred to for describing the method foroperating the mobile terminal, illustrated in FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to the attached drawings.

A mobile terminal as described in this specification includes a mobilephone, a smart phone, a laptop, a digital broadcast terminal, a PersonalDigital Assistant (PDA), a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), anavigation device, or the like. The words “module” or “unit”, which areappended to terms describing components, are merely used for ease ofexplanation of the present invention and have no specific meaning orfunction with respect to the components. Thus, the words “module” and“unit” can be used interchangeably.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the mobileterminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, Audio/Video(AV) input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, anoutput unit 150, a memory 160, an interface unit 170, a controller 180,and a power supply unit 190. In actual applications, two or more ofthese components can be combined into one component or one component canbe divided into two or more components as needed.

The wireless communication unit 110 includes a broadcast receivingmodule 111, a mobile communication module 113, a wireless internetmodule 115, a local area communication module 117, and a GlobalPositioning System (GPS) module 119.

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives at least one of a broadcastsignal and broadcast-related information from an external broadcastmanagement server through a broadcast channel. The broadcast managementserver may be a server that generates and transmits at least one of abroadcast signal and broadcast-related information or a server thatreceives and transmits at least one of a broadcast signal andbroadcast-related information, which have been previously generated, toa terminal.

The broadcast signal can not only include a TV broadcast signal, a radiosignal, a data broadcast signal but also include a broadcast signalcombined a data broadcast signal into a TV or radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast-related information can be information relating to abroadcast channel, a broadcast program, or broadcast service provider.The broadcast-related information can also be provided through a mobilecommunication network. In this instance, the broadcast-relatedinformation can be received by mobile communication module 113. Thebroadcast-related information can have various forms. For example, itcan be provided in the form of an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) ofDigital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) or an Electronic Service Guide(ESG) of Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld(DVB-H) or like.

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives a broadcast signal by usinga variety of broadcast systems. Specifically, the broadcast receivingmodule 111 can receive a digital broadcast signal by using digitalbroadcast systems such as Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial(DMB-T), Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), MediaForward Link Only (MediaFLO), a Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld(DVB-H), or Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T).

The broadcast receiving module 111 can be suitable not only for such adigital broadcast system but also all broadcast systems providing abroadcast signal. A broadcast signal and/or broadcast-relatedinformation received through the broadcast receiving module 111 can bestored in memory 160.

The mobile communication module 113 can transmit and receive a wirelesssignal to and from at least one of a base station, an external terminal,and server over a mobile communication network. Here, the wirelesssignal can include a voice call signal, a video call signal, or varioustypes of data associated with transmission and reception of atext/multimedia message.

Further, the wireless internet module 115 is a module for wirelessinternet access and may be internal or external module provided to themobile terminal 100. Wireless LAN (WLAN) (i.e., Wi-Fi), Wirelessbroadband (WiBro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax),or High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) can be used as a wirelessInternet technology.

The local area communication module 117 is a module for local areacommunication. Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID),Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), or ZigBee can beused as a local area communication technology.

The GPS module 119 receives location information from a plurality of GPSsatellites. Further, the AN input unit 120 is provided to input an audioor video signal and can include a camera 121 and a microphone 123.

The camera 121 processes an image frame such as a still or moving imageobtained by an image sensor in a video communication mode or an imagecapture mode. The processed picture frame can be displayed on thedisplay module 151.

An image frame processed in the camera 121 can be stored in a memory 160or can be transmitted to the outside through the wireless communicationunit 110. The camera 121 can include two or more cameras according toconfiguration of the mobile terminal.

The microphone 123 receives an external audio signal by microphone in avoice or video communication mode, a record mode, or a voice recognitionmode and processes the same into electrical voice data. The processedvoice data can be converted into a form transmittable to a mobileterminal base station through the mobile communication module 113 in avoice or video communication mode.

Various noise removal algorithms can be used to remove noise generatedin the process of receiving an external audio signal through themicrophone 123.

The user input 130 generates key input data corresponding to a key inputoperation that a user has performed to control the operation of themobile terminal. The user input 130 can include key pad, dome switch, ora (resistive/capacitive) touchpad to receive a command or informationthrough a push or touch operation by the user.

The user input 130 can also include a jog wheel, a joystick, a fingermouse, or the like. Specifically, touch pad can be referred “touchscreen” in case that the touch pad forms a multilayer structure with thedisplay module 151 described later.

The sensing unit 140 senses a current state of the mobile terminal 100such as whether the mobile terminal 100 is opened or closed, theposition of the mobile terminal 100, whether or not the user is incontact with the mobile terminal 100 and generate a sensing signal tocontrol operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, if the mobileterminal is a slide phone, the sensing unit 140 can sense whether theslide phone is opened or closed.

Further, the sensing unit 140 can also be responsible for sensingfunction associated with whether or not the power supply unit 190 issupplying power or whether or not the interface unit 170 is coupled toan external device.

The sensing unit 140 can include a detection sensor 141, a pressuresensor 143, and a motion sensor 145. The detection sensor 141 can detectan object approaching the mobile terminal 100 or whether object ispresent near the mobile terminal 100 without mechanical contact. Thedetection sensor 141 can detect an approaching object by using a changein an alternating current (AC) magnetic field or a static magneticfield, or the rate of change of capacitance.

The pressure sensor 143 can detect whether pressure is being applied tothe mobile terminal 100 or can measure the magnitude of pressure. Thepressure sensor 143 can be installed in a part of the mobile terminal100 needing a detection of pressure depending on the use environment ofthe mobile terminal 100. If the pressure sensor 143 is installed in thedisplay module 151, it can discriminate touch input through the displaymodule 151 from a pressure touch input applied greater pressure than thetouch input based on a signal output from the pressure sensor 143.

The motion sensor 145 detects the position, a movement or the like ofthe mobile terminal 100 using an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, orthe like. With developments of micro-electromechanical system (MEMS)technology, the acceleration sensor, which can be used for the motionsensor 145, have been widely used as a device converting acceleration inone direction into an electric signal. The gyro sensor can determine arotated direction of the mobile terminal 100 relative to a referencedirection as a sensor for measuring angular speed.

The output unit 150 can output audio signals, video signals or alarmsignals. The output unit 150 can include the display module 151, anaudio output module 153, an alarm unit 155, and a haptic module 157.

The display module 151 display information processed in the mobileterminal 100. For example, if the mobile terminal 100 is in a voice orvideo communication mode, the display module 151 displays User Interface(UI) or Graphic User Interface (GUI) related to the voice or videocommunication. When the mobile terminal 100 is in a voice communicationmode or an image capture mode, the display module 151 can individuallyor simultaneously display captured or received image and can display acorresponding UI or GUI.

As described above, when the display module 151 forms a multiple-layerstructure with the touchpad to construct a touch screen, the displaymodule 151 can not only be used as an output device but can also be usedas an input device which allows the user to input information by touch.

If the display module 151 includes a touch screen, the display module151 can include a touch screen panel, a touch screen panel controller,or the like. In this instance, the touch screen panel is a transparentpanel externally attached to the mobile terminal 100 and can beconnected to an internal bus of the mobile terminal 100.

The touch screen panel monitors touches and transmits signalscorresponding to touch inputs to the touch screen panel controller. Thetouch screen panel controller processes the signals and transmits theresulting data to the controller 180, and the controller 180 thendetermines whether or not a touch input has occurred and which region ofthe touch screen has been touched.

The display module 151 can include electronic paper (e-paper). As areflective display, the electronic paper has excellent visual propertiesresolution as ordinary ink on paper, wide viewing angle and bright whitebackground. The electronic paper can be implemented on various type ofsubstrate such as a plastic, metallic or paper substrate and can displayand maintain an image after power is cut off. In addition, theelectronic paper can increase battery life of the mobile terminal 100because it does not require a backlight assembly. The display module 151can include at least one of a liquid crystal display, a thin filmtransistor-liquid display, an organic light-emitting diode, a flexibledisplay and a 3D display

The audio output module 153 can output audio data received from thewireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160 when themobile terminal 100 is in an incoming call receiving mode, a voice orvideo communication mode, a record mode, a voice recognition mode, or abroadcast receiving mode. The audio output module 153 outputs audiosignals regarding of functions performed by the mobile terminal 100 suchas an incoming call sound, a message receipt sound. The audio outputmodule 153 can include a speaker, a buzzer, or the like.

The alarm module 155 outputs a signal notifying the user that an eventhas occurred in the mobile terminal 100. Example of the event occurringin the mobile terminal 100 can include an incoming call reception,message reception, and key signal input.

The alarm module 155 outputs a signal notifying the user of theoccurrence of an event in a different form from an audio signal or avideo signal. When the incoming call signal is received or a message isreceived, the alarm module 155 can output a signal to notify the user ofreception of the incoming call signal or the message. When the keysignal is input, the alarm module 155 can output a signal as a feedbackto the key signal input. The user can perceive the occurrence of eventthrough the signal output from the alarm module 155. The mobile terminal100 can also output a signal indicating the event occurrence through thedisplay module 151 or the audio output module 153.

The haptic module 157 can generate various haptic effects which can beperceived by the user. A representative example of the haptic effectgenerated by the haptic module 157 is a vibration effect. When thehaptic module 157 generates the vibration as a haptic effect, the hapticmodule 157 can change an intensity, pattern, or the like of thevibration. The haptic module 157 can synthesize different vibrations andoutput the resulting signal or can sequentially output differentvibrations.

The haptic module 157 can generate various haptic effects such as ahaptic effect obtained using a pin array that moves perpendicularly to acontact skin surface, a haptic effect obtained by injecting or suckingin air through an injection hole or a suction hole, a haptic effectobtained by grazing the surface of the skin, a haptic effect obtainedthrough contact with an electrode, a haptic module obtained by usingelectrostatic force, and a haptic effect obtained by realizing the senseof heat or cold using a device capable of absorbing or generating heat.The haptic module 157 can be implemented not only to provide a hapticeffect to the user through direct contact but also to enable the user toperceive a haptic effect using the kinesthetic sense of the fingers orthe arms.

The memory 160 can store a program for processing and controlling by thecontroller 180 and can perform functions to store provisionally input oroutput data items (for example, a phonebook, message, still images, andmoving images).

The memory 160 may include storage medium of at least one of a varietyof types including a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimediacard micro type, a card memory type (for example, SD or XD memory), RAM,and ROM. The mobile terminal 100 can operate web storage performing astorage function of the memory 160 over the internet.

The interface unit 170 functions to interface with all external devicesconnected to the mobile terminal 100. Examples of the external devicesconnected to the mobile terminal 100 include a wired/wireless headset,an external battery charger, a wired/wireless data port, a memory card,a Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card socket, a User IdentityModule (UIM) card socket, an audio Input/Output (I/O) terminal, and anearphone.

The interface unit 170 can receive power or data from such an externaldevice and provide the same to each internal component of the mobileterminal 100 and transmit internal data of the mobile terminal 100 tothe external device.

When the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, theinterface unit 170 can be a path through which power is provided fromthe external cradle to the mobile terminal 100 or a path through whichcommand signals, which the user has input on the cradle, are transmitfrom the external cradle to the mobile terminal 100.

The controller 180 generally controls the operation of each unit tocontrol overall operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, thecontroller 180 performs control and processing associated with voicecommunication, data communication, video communication, and the like.The controller 180 can include a multimedia playback module 181 forreproducing a multimedia. The multimedia playback module 181 can beimplemented in the controller 180 as a hardware, or can be implementedas a software separately from the controller 180.

The power supply unit 190 receives external power or internal power bycontrol of the controller 180 and supplies power required for operationto each component.

The mobile terminal 100 constructed as described above, including awired/wireless communication system and a communication system based onsatellite can be implemented to operate in communication system whichcan transmit data through frames or packets.

Next, FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the mobile terminal 100according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is arear perspective vies of the mobile terminal 100 shown in FIG. 2.

In the following description, the mobile terminal 100 according to anembodiment of the present invention is described in detail withreference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, from the viewpoint of components viewedon the external surface thereof. For ease of explanation, the followingdescription will be given with reference to a bar type mobile terminalhaving a front touch screen as an example among various types of mobileterminals such as folder, bar, swing, and slider types. However, thepresent invention is not limited to the bar type mobile terminal and canbe applied to any type of mobile terminal including the types describedabove.

Referring to FIG. 2, a case forming the external appearance of themobile terminal 100 includes a front case 100-1 and a rear case 100-2. Aprinted circuit board and a flexible printed circuit board on which avariety of electronic parts are disposed are equipped with a spaceformed by the front case 100-1 and the rear case 100-2. The front case100-1 and the rear case 100-2 can be formed through synthetic injectionmolding and can be formed of a metal material such as stainless steel(STS) or titanium (Ti)

A display module 151, a first audio output module 153 a, a first camera121 a, and a first to third user input units 130 a, 130 b, 130 c aredisposed in a main body of the mobile terminal 100, specifically, in thefront case 100-1. A fourth user input unit 130 d, a fifth user inputunit 130 e, and a microphone 123 can be disposed in a side surface ofthe rear case 100-2.

The display module 151 can operate as a touch screen including touchpads overlapped with layer structure and can allow the user to inputinformation by touch.

The first audio output module 153 a can be a receiver or a speaker. Thefirst camera 121 a can be implemented to capture a still or moving imageof the user or the like. The microphone 123 can be implemented toreceive sound such as user voice.

The first to fifth user input unit 130 a, 130 b, 130 c, 130 d, 130 e anda sixth and a seventh user input unit 130 f and 130 g can becollectively referred to as a user input unit 130. The user input unit130 can be of any type, and can be operated in a tactile manner suchthat it is operated through tactile interaction with the user.

For example, the user input unit 130 can be implemented as a dome switchor a touch pad that can receive a command or information through a pushor touch operation by the user. The user input unit 130 can beimplemented as a wheel or a joystick. In terms of functionality, thefirst to third user input units 130 a, 130 b, 130 c allow the user toinput a command such as start, end, scroll, and the like. The fourthinput unit 130 d allows the user to input a selection of operation modeand the like. The fifth input unit 130 e can operate as hot key foractivating a particular function of the mobile terminal 100.

Referring to FIG. 3, a second camera 121 b can be added to a rear faceof the rear case 100-2 and the sixth and seventh user input unit 130 fand 130 g, and the interface unit 170 can be added to a side face of therear case 100-2.

The second camera 121 b can have a capture direction effectivelyopposite to that of the first camera 121 a and have a pixel resolutiondifferent from that of the first camera 121 a.

The interface unit 170 can be used as a channel through which the mobileterminal 100 exchanges data with an external device. In addition toantenna for communication, an antenna for broadcast signal receiving canbe provided on a portion of the front case 100-1 and the rear case100-2. Each antenna can be mounted to be retractable from the rear case100-2.

The power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100can be provided on a side surface of the rear case 100-2. For example,the power supply unit 190 can be combined to be detachable to the rearcase 100-2 for recharging or the like, as rechargeable battery.

Although the above description has been explained that the second camera121 b or the like are provided on the rear case 100-2, the presentinvention is not limited to that. Even if the second camera 121 b is notseparately provided, the first camera 121 a can be formed to berotatable so as to capture in a capture direction of the second camera121 b.

In the following, a description will be given of the mobile terminal andmethod for operating the same for groping and storing a captured imageaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. The mobile terminaland method for operating the same receiving a start input and an endinput for an image grouping, and can store images captured between thestart input and the end input to a group.

In particular, FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operatingthe mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention,and FIGS. 5 to 15 are views referred for describing the method foroperating the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the mobile terminal 100 can enter into a capturemode for capturing an image (S210). For example, if the user selects acamera application 320 on a menu screen 310, the controller 180 executesa camera program and the mobile terminal can enter into the capture mode(see FIG. 5( a)).

When the mobile terminal 100 enters into the capture mode, asillustrated in FIG. 5( b), an image 330 captured by camera and aplurality of menu objects for capture can be displayed on the displaymodule 151.

The plurality of menu objects can include a capture object 341 forcapturing, a preview object 342 illustrating a preview of a capturedimage, image/video switching object 343 for switching the an imagecapture mode and a video capture mode, a capture direction switchingobject 344 for switching the capture direction.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a start object 351 and an endobject 352 for image grouping can be displayed on the display module151. FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are views illustrating an embodiment ofdisplaying the start object 351 and end object 352.

Referring to FIG. 6, as illustrated in FIG. 6( a), the start object 351and end object 352 can be displayed in a predetermined region of thedisplay module 151. As illustrated in FIG. 6( b), if the mobile terminal100 receives input selecting the start object 351, the end object 352can be activated.

After receiving a first input selecting the start object 351, beforereceiving an input selecting the end object 352, if the mobile terminal100 receives a second input selecting the start object 351 again, imagegrouping can be started based on the second input.

Referring to FIG. 7, the start object 351 can be displayed on apredetermined region on the display module 151 as illustrated in FIG. 7(a) and if the controller 180 receives an input selecting the startobject 351, the start object 351 can be changed to the end object 352and the end object 352 can be displayed.

If the controller 180 receives an input selecting the end object 352,the end object 352 can be changed to the start object 351 and the startobject 351 can be displayed.

Again referring to FIG. 4, the controller 180 can receive a start inputfor image grouping in entering the capture mode (S220). For example, asillustrated in FIG. 8( a), if the user selects the start object 351, thecontroller can receive the selecting input and perform an operationcorresponding to image grouping. For example, the controller 180 canseparately set a storage area in memory 160, can create a new folder,and can control to perform memo function to be input a group name of animage group.

If the user selects the capture object 341 to capture an image, thecontroller 180 can capture the image (S230). For example, as illustratedin FIG. 8( b) to (d), a first image 410, a second image 420 and a thirdimage 430 can be captured.

After the controller 180 captures the image(s), if the controller 180receives the end input for image grouping (S240), the controller canstore the image captured after receiving the start input and beforereceiving the end input by one group.

For example, after the first image 410, the second image 420 and thethird image 430 are captured, as illustrated in FIG. 8( e), if thecontroller 180 receives input for selecting the end object 352, thecontroller can store the first image 410, the second image 420 and thethird image 430 which are captured between the input selecting the startobject 351 and input selecting the end object 352 in one group

If the first image 410, the second image 420 and the third image 430 arestored in one group, as illustrated in FIG. 9( a), the first image 410,the second image 420 and the third image 430 can be displayed to beoverlapped. The first image 410, the second image 420 and the thirdimage 430 can be displayed to be overlapped in order of being captured.

As illustrated in FIG. 9( b), the controller 180 can create a new folder(a first folder) and can store the first image 410, the second image 420and the third image 430 in the new folder.

The above description explains that the user input is a touch input tothe start object, the capture object and the end object, but the presentinvention is not limited that. The start and end inputs for imagegrouping can include at least one of a voice input, a motion input and amemo input.

In addition, the controller 180 can recognize at least one of a voiceinput, a motion input and a memo input and can determine whether therecognized input is at least one of a predetermined voice, apredetermined motion and a predetermined memo and can perform anoperation corresponding to that.

For example, when the user says ‘start’, the controller 180 canrecognize the voice ‘start’ and can perform an operation correspondingto start for image grouping. When the user says ‘capture’ or ‘end’, thecontroller 180 can perform an operation corresponding to each of that.

In another example, when the user shakes a hand side to side, thecontroller 180 can perform an operation corresponding to start for imagegrouping. When the user collects fingers, the controller 180 can performan operation corresponding to capture and when the user shakes a hand,the controller 180 can perform an operation corresponding to end ofimage grouping.

In still another example, when the user inputs ‘S’ in memo commandwindow displayed on the display module 151, the controller 180 canrecognize ‘S’ and perform an operation corresponding to start for imagegrouping. When the user inputs ‘T’, the controller 180 can perform anoperation corresponding to capture and when the user inputs ‘E’, thecontroller 180 can perform an operation corresponding to end for imagegrouping.

The voice recognition, the motion recognition and the memo recognitiondescribed above has been explained as an example, and the presentinvention is not limited that.

When the first image 410, the second image 420 and the third image 430are stored in one group, the controller 180 can set a first tag as thegroup name. A detail description of this will be given in FIGS. 10 to13.

For example, linked a memo function, the first tag can be input to thedisplay module 151 by a touch pen or a finger. Also, the first tag canbe input by using a keypad. When the first tag is input in form of freenote by using the memo function, the controller 180 can recognize onlytext among input memo.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10( a), when a memo ‘happy♡’ isinput, the controller 180 can recognize only text ‘happy’ among the memoand can display message asking if the user wants to set ‘happy’ to thegroup name.

As illustrated in FIG. 10( c), when the first tag input is same anexisting group name, the captured image can be stored in the existinggroup. The controller 180 can set the existing group name added numberto the group name or can display a re-input object for being input agroup name again.

The mobile terminal 100 can allow the user to input the first tag beforeor after start input for image grouping and before or after end input ofimage grouping. The input first tag can be set not only to the groupname but also a file name.

For example, when the first tag is input, the controller 180 can displaya message asking whether the user set the first tag to the group name ora file name of the first image, as illustrated in FIG. 11. In thisinstance, the mobile terminal 100 can allow the user to select at leastone of the group name and the file name.

When a file name of captured image is not input, a group name of a groupincluding the captured image can be set as the file name of the capturedimage or a last input file name can be set as the file name of thecaptured image.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 12, when the user captures the firstimage 410, the second image 420 and the third image 430 in order, theuser can input a first tag ‘happy♡’ as a file name of the first image410, cannot input a file name of the second image 420, and can input asecond tag “travel” as a file name of the third image 430.

In this instance, the first tag ‘happy’ input as the file name of thefirst image 410 can be set as the file name of the second image. Thefile names of the first image and the second image be added a numberaccording to a captured order.

As shown in FIG. 13, the first image 310 can be stored with the filename as ‘happy 1’, the second image 420 can be stored with the file nameas ‘happy 2’, and the third image 430 can be stored with the file nameas ‘travel’.

The input first tag can be stored with the captured image to bedisplayed on a predetermined region of the captured image. For example,as illustrated in FIG. 13, the first tag as ‘happy’ can be displayed apredetermined region of the first image 410.

FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 are views illustrating the method for operating ofthe mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention,more specifically a skip function of image grouping.

Referring to FIG. 14, when the mobile terminal 100 enters into thecapture mode, a skip or next object 353 corresponding to the skipfunction can be displayed additional to the start object 351 and the endobject 352. When the mobile terminal 100 receives input selecting theskip object 353, an image captured just before selecting the skip object353 is not stored in a group.

For example, the user can select the start object 351 and capture thefirst and second image 410 and 420 in order as illustrated in FIG. 14(a) and (b). The user can select the skip object 353 after capturing thesecond image 420 as illustrated in FIG. 14( c) and can capture the thirdimage 430 and select the end object 352 after capturing the third image430.

In this instance, the second image 420 captured just before selectingthe skip object 353 is not stored in a group in which the first image410 and the third image 430 are stored as shown in FIG. 15. The secondimage 420 can be deleted or can be stored in other group. Accordingly,when an image captured is unsatisfactory, the user cannot store theimage in same group by using the skip function.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the mobileterminal according to an embodiment of the present invention and FIGS.17 to 20 are views referred to for describing the method for operatingthe mobile terminal, illustrated in FIG. 16.

Referring to FIG. 16, the mobile terminal 100 can enter into an albummode (S710) and can display a list of a first group including aplurality of images on the display module 151 (S720). For example, asillustrated in FIG. 17( a), the mobile terminal 100 can execute thealbum program by input such as selecting an album application in menuscreen and the like and can enter into the album mode.

When the mobile terminal 100 enters into the album mode, as illustratedin FIG. 17( b), at least one of image groups is displayed on the displaymodule 151. For example, when a first group 830 of above image groups isselected, a plurality of images stored in the first group can bedisplayed in form of list.

Related to an embodiment of the present invention, the start object 851and the end object 852 for image grouping can be displayed on thedisplay module 151.

As described above in FIGS. 6 and 7, the start object 851 and the endobject 852 can be displayed at the same time and when the start object851 is selected, the end object 852 can be activated. When the startobject is selected, the start object can be changed to the end object852.

Referring to FIG. 16, the controller 180 can receive the start input(S730), and receive input for selecting at least one of a plurality ofimages (S740). For example, as illustrated FIG. 18( a), the user canselect at least one of a plurality of images displayed on the displaymodule 151. In this instance, the selected image can be highlighted,bold lines can be displayed on borders of the image, or a check can bedisplayed in the image.

When at least one of the images is selected and the mobile terminal 100receives the end input for image grouping (S750), the selected image canbe stored in a second group (S760). For example, as illustrated in FIG.18( c), when the end object 852 is selected, a menu screen 860 includingobjects 861, 862 and 863 corresponding to moving function, copy functionand sharing function can be displayed on the display module 151, asillustrated in FIG. 19.

When the moving object 861 and the copy object 862 are selected, theimage selected as the second group can be stored in an existing folderor the user can create a new folder 835 and the image can be stored thenew folder 835. When the new folder can be created, the folder name canbe input.

The user can input the folder name on the display module 151 inconnecting memo function by using a touch pen, finger, or key pad. Inaddition, the selected image can be stored to display in order orreverse order of being selected. The selected images can be stored asone image integrated the selected images.

When the moving object 862 is selected, the image selected as the secondgroup can be deleted from the first group 830 and can be moved to thesecond group 835. When the copy object 862 is selected, the imageselected as the second group can be copied from the first group 830 tothe second group 835.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the captured imagecan be effectively stored and managed by the image grouping function inthe capture mode and the album mode. Therefore, the image groupingfunction can increase a convenience of use of the mobile terminal.

The mobile terminal and the method for operating the same according tothe foregoing exemplary embodiments are not restricted to the exemplaryembodiments set forth herein. Therefore, variations and combinations ofthe exemplary embodiments set forth herein can fall within the scope ofthe present invention.

The method for operating a mobile terminal according to the foregoingexemplary embodiments can be implemented as code that can be written ona computer-readable recording medium and thus read by a processor. Thecomputer-readable recording medium can be any type of recording devicein which data is stored in a computer-readable manner. Examples of thecomputer-readable recording medium include a ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, amagnetic tape, a floppy disc, an optical data storage, and a carrierwave (e.g., data transmission over the Internet). The computer-readablerecording medium can be distributed over a plurality of computer systemsconnected to a network so that computer-readable code is written theretoand executed therefrom in a decentralized manner. Programs, code, andcode segments to realize the embodiments herein can be construed by oneof ordinary skill in the art.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understoodby those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form anddetails can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for controlling a mobile terminal, themethod comprising: entering, via a camera of the mobile terminal, acapture mode; receiving, via a controller of the mobile terminal, astart input for starting a grouping image process; capturing, via thecamera, at least one image; receiving, via the controller, an end inputfor ending the grouping image process; and storing, in a memoryassociated with the mobile terminal, the at least one image capturedbetween the start input and the end input in a group.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising: receiving, via the controller,an input first tag; and setting, via the controller, the input first tagas a group name of the group.
 3. The method according to claim 2,wherein the input first tag is a file name of one image included in theleast one captured image.
 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein ifthe at least one captured image includes a plurality of captured images,the method further comprising adding a capture order number to the firsttag and setting file names of the captured images using the first tagand the added capture order number.
 5. The method according to claim 2,wherein the first tag is displayed on a predetermined region of the atleast one captured image.
 6. The method according to claim 2, furthercomprising: receiving, via the controller, a second tag input; andsetting, via the controller, the second tag as a file name of the atleast one captured image.
 7. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising: displaying, via a display unit of the mobile terminal, afirst object corresponding to the start input and a second objectcorresponding to the end input; and starting, via the controller, thegrouping image process if an input selecting the first object isreceived, and ending the grouping image process if an input selectingthe second object is received.
 8. The method according to claim 7,wherein the controller is further configured to activate the secondobject if the input selecting the first object is received.
 9. Themethod according to claim 7, wherein if the input selecting the firstobject is received, the controller is further configured to visuallychange and display the first object to the second object, and wherein ifthe input selecting the second object is received, the controller isfurther configured to visually change and display the second object tothe first object.
 10. The method according to claim 1, further:receiving, via the controller, a skip command for skipping the groupingimage process for a particular captured image; and not storing an imagecaptured just before receiving the skip command in the group.
 11. Amethod for controlling a mobile terminal, the method comprising:entering, via a controller of the mobile terminal, an album mode;displaying, via a display unit of the mobile terminal, a list of imagesincluded in a first group; receiving, via the controller of the mobileterminal, a start input for starting a grouping image process;receiving, via the controller, a selection signal indicating a selectionof at least one image in the list of images; receiving, via thecontroller, an end input for ending the grouping image process; andstoring, in a memory associated with the mobile terminal, the selectedat least one image between the start input and the end input in a secondgroup.
 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the controller isfurther configured to delete the selected at least one image from thefirst group.
 13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:receiving, via the controller, an input of a name for naming the secondgroup.
 14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the controller isfurther configured to store the selected images such that that theselected at least image is displayed in an order selected or in areverse order selected.
 15. The method according to claim 11, whereinthe selected images are combined into one image and the combined imageis stored.
 16. A mobile terminal, comprising: a camera configured toenter a capture mode; a controller configured to receive a start inputfor starting a grouping image process, capture via the camera at leastone image, and receive an end input for ending the grouping imageprocess; and a memory configured to store the at least one imagecaptured between the start input and the end input in a group.
 17. Themobile terminal according to claim 16, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to receive an input first tag, and set the first tag as agroup name of the group.
 18. The mobile terminal according to claim 17,wherein the controller is further configured to set the first tag as afile name of one image included in the least one captured image.
 19. Themobile terminal according to claim 17, wherein if the at least onecaptured image includes a plurality of captured images, the controlleris further configured to add a capture order number to the first tag andset file names of the captured images using the first tag and the addedcapture order number.
 20. The mobile terminal according to claim 17,wherein the first tag is displayed on predetermined region of thecaptured image.